Results

MENS 4TH XI - 08/04/2018 VS NEWMARKET (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 08/04/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 08/04/2018 
HEADLINE: Cancelled 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 5:0 
 
REPORT: Due to our relegation the day before at the hands of IES 2s, Newmarket chose to concede this game as nothing was riding on it from either team's perspective. The league awarded a 5:0 win and 3 points to our team which lifted us a place to second from bottom. Div 4 next season! 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 07/04/2018 VS IES 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 07/04/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 07/04/2018 
HEADLINE: Away goes the points 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE:IES 
RESULT:2:1 
 
REPORT: In their penultimate game, Norwich City 4s took no time at all to settle into their rhythm and had the lacklustre home team on the back foot for much of the first half. Incensed by an incorrectly ruled out drag flicked goal by Perry, City pushed hard and were rewarded when a powerful run and cross shot by Bailey was turned in by the impressive Toby Pallister. More chances passed the away team by during the rest of the half but they restricted the home side to minimal opportunities in reply. The second half started much like the first with City on the front foot but slowly IES crawled their way back into the game and pressurised the tiring back line of the opposition. Another chance for the away side to extend their lead through a penalty flick was denied by the officials when they inexplicably waved away the appeals and this was the break that IES needed. Their persistant drive towards the City goal saw them score twice from well worked short corner routines and steal all 3 points thus condemning City to Division 4 hockey next season. City MOM: Toby Pallister 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 17/03/2018 VS NORWICH CITY 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 17/03/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 17/03/2018 
HEADLINE: Inter Clubbed by the 3s 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 0:5 
 
REPORT: Saturday started in bazaar fashion as 23 players spent over 2 hours on shovels and brooms clearing the snow tTaverham so this game could go ahead. Having found the greenery underneath the winter blanket the 4s set about trying to achieve the impossible... to get a result from the top of the table in form side. Ironically they hit the post within the first 30 seconds but alas this was the hilight of the whole game as Lingy and Adam's 3s set about the task of putting the lower ranked team to bed. A keenly contested first half was littered with errors from the 4s as they were punished on 3 separate occasions from short corners. Going into the 2nd half the 4s looked a better unit and had some attacking play themselves but unfortunately a combination of misplaced passes and bad decisions led to a furhter 2 goals being scored by the 3s. The game fizzled out with the 4s well and truly beaten and the 3s, having done their job, looked forward to their last game against Dragon's 2s to finish the season as champions providing they could win. City 4s MOM: Dim Ives 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 10/03/2018 VS IPSWICH 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 10/03/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 10/03/2018 
HEADLINE: Ip Switched Off 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Tuddenham Road, Ipswich 
RESULT: 3:2 
 
REPORT:After a cold and miserable weagther effected couple of weeks Norwich City Men's 4s looked forward to a return to league action against Ipswich 2s at the weekend. With no recognised striker available due to call ups and unavailability, City found themselves fielding a lopsided team against a confident Ipswich team. City however started the brighter side and took the lead after good work by the midfield resulting in Dan Jeffers scoring from close range with a cheeky chip over the sprawling home keeper. This was the best of the first quarter of an hour from City as they then struggled to keep the home side's talented midfield duo under wraps. Ipswich equalised midway through the half and then took the lead with a some what fortunate goal as although Dim Ives in goal for City made a brilliant Penalty flick save, he was adjudged to have moved before the stroke was taken and Ipswich scored from the retaken flick. 
The second half saw City regain their control over the game and equalised from a short corner through the dependable Jamie Higginbotham. This wasn't enough to stamp their control on the rest of the match and once again, Ipswich's midfield pair ran the show. Finally after many opportunities to regain the lead, the home side duly took their chance when they took the ball around the outside of the City area probing for a weakness and edged a shot inside the far post. City tried in vain over the final 10 minutes to equalise again but a lack of composure and a recognised striker saw the game ebb away. City MOM Toby Pallister 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 03/03/2018 VS NEWMARKET (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 03/03/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 03/03/2018 
HEADLINE: Postponed 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: TAVERHAM 
RESULT:P:P 
 
REPORT: Postponed due to snow 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 24/02/2018 VS IES 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 24/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 24/02/2018 
HEADLINE: Match Postponed 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: IES 
RESULT:P:P 
 
REPORT: Match Postponed due to frozen pitch 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 10/02/2018 VS PELICANS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 10/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 10/02/2018 
HEADLINE: Pelis Can't 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 1:0 
 
REPORT: This week Norwich City Mens 4s entertained King's Lynn Pelicans in a bottom of the table 6 pointer. A win for City would see them climb off the bottom of the table and a loss would see them 5 points behind their opponents. 
Hindered by only fielding 10 players, the away side started slowly and were undone on a few occasions by the forward running of a City side, fresh from their win a week earlier. Unfortunately City were unable to capitalise on their early chances and allowed the away side to gain in confidence. For most of the first half City wre on the back foot surprisingly and could have been a goal or two down if not for the expertise of Ben NKrumah in the City goal saving smartly on many occasions, including from a poorly taken penalty stroke. The second half started much the same as the first with City on the front foot and took the lead midway through the half when a short corner was drilled into the area and a mixup between the Pelis defence presented Jagdev Singh with a tap in from close range. The rest of the match was littered with poorly taken chances and bad decisions from both teams as City edged it to win. City MOM: Ben Nkrumah 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 03/02/2018 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 03/02/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 03/02/2018 
HEADLINE: Dragons Flames Extinguished 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: 2:3 
 
REPORT: Needing to make up for lost points last week, City 4s started brightly and were quickly on top of this Division 3 NE match. An aerial ball over the play saw the Dragons Defence split and a missed clearance presented Brine with an opportunity inside the first couple of minutes. His quick thinking and deft touch slammed the ball past the onrushing keeper for the lead. Within minutes of the restart, City were back on the score sheet again as a mazy run and diving cross from the impressive Hooper saw Fletcher tap in at the far post. No sooner had the home side restarted the away side stole the ball in midfield and strong interplay from Brine, Jefford and Painter saw Fletcher score from the top of the area as the home keeper found himself in no man's land and out of his goal. A strong run and pull back from the by line from the home side saw them pull a goal back before the break and give them hope of a recovery. The second half was hotly contested and although the home side smuggled a goal back midway throught he half, it was too little too late and City took all three points back to Taverham to keep their hopes of Division 3 hockey alive for next season. City MOM: Nick Hooper  
 

MENS 4TH XI - 27/01/2018 VS SUDBURY 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 27/01/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 27/01/2018 
HEADLINE: Sudbury win again 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Sudbury 
RESULT: 2:1 
 
REPORT: A long trip to Sudbury saw Norwich City 4s start this league match slowly and found themselves on the back foot almost straight away. With few attacks into the home teams half, City were pinned back for the first 20 minutes but a strong passing move between Paul Roy and Oli Kennard found David Fletcher unmarked in front of goal and he made no mistake with a strong strike under the home keeper for a lead against the run of play. The rest of the half was mostly uneventful, short of a couple of decent saves from City's keeper Jake Ainscough and the away side went into the break a goal to the good. Sadly the second half proved to be similar to the first as City struggled to get any momentum going and resorted too defending on their own 25yrd line which invited Sudbury to attack for most of the half. With 12 minutes to go in the game Sudbury's pressure took it'e toll and they equalised with a cross shot into the far corner after good play from their left winger. Worse was to follow for the visitors as the home side took the lead with only 5 minutes left on the clock. Attempting to drive a long ball up the line, Captain Simon Dale was unfortunate to gift the Sudbury winger with a breakaway move as his double tapped interception took the ball away from the City captain. He then drove to the top of the area and pulled his pass across the charging keeper to the unmarked forward who slotted into an empty net.  
Although City attempted to readdress the deficit, it was too little too late once again and they came away empty handed, not for the first time this season. City MOM: Cameron Husband 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 20/01/2018 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 20/01/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 20/01/2018 
HEADLINE: Postponed 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: P:P 
 
REPORT: Match postponed due to frozen pitch. 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 14/01/2018 VS UEA 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 14/01/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 14/01/2018 
HEADLINE: UEA OK 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: UEA SPORTS PARK 
RESULT: 1:5 
 
REPORT: This rearranged match from before Xmas saw both sides returning to the field barely 24 hours after their last games which could have took it's toll on wary legs but for a srong squd from City 4s. Starting like they had nothing to lose and everything to prove, City went a goal up inside the first minute. Jim Pallister scoring from a penalty corner routine straight from the City archives. This was the boost the side needed to calm the nerves and City began to play some very good fluent passing hockey. Another goal arrived minutes later when an excellent interception by the ever busy Freddy Hooper found Ben Chapman, his persistance down the left saw a neat pass received expertly by Matthew Brine, who buried his effort with confident ease. As UEA looked to get bak on terms they left big gaps at the back and were punished in quick succession by the imressive Dan Jeffers scoring a quickfire brace to take the game away from the home side. Uea scored what turned out to be a conselation goal just before the break when City failed to hold onto the ball and gave cheap possession away for them to score at the first attempt. The second half was a different ballgame altogether as City struggled to retain possession for large parts of it and they found themselves under considerable pressure throughout. Finally having weathered the storm City scored from a well worked short corner routine as Jim Pallister fed Alfie Cooper on the left at the top of the area and the latter drilled his shot across the keeper and into the corner. Finally City were able to celebrate their first win in the league and a much deerved 3 points. City MOM: Daniel Jeffers 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 13/01/2018 VS BURY ST EDMUNDS 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 13/01/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 13/01/2018 
HEADLINE: Buried again 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Culford School 
RESULT: 4:0 
 
REPORT: A bright start to this return fixture had all the hall marks of a decent afternoon for the winless Norwich City Mens 4s side, but a lack of composure and decision making saw the visitors frustrated and slowly Bury came into the game. Sneaking a goal inside the nearpost on 20 minutes the home side never looked back. The writing was on the wall from the start of the second half as Bury pressed home their advantage and scored again to extend their lead. A fortunate Penalty Flick award to the City team was squandered and sadly this was the hilight of the half for the visitors as the home side scored twice more to take the game away from City. City MOM: Freddy Hooper 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 06/01/2018 VS IES 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 06/01/2018 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 06/01/2018 
HEADLINE: IES SOS 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 2:3 
 
REPORT: The league resumed this week after the Xmas break and although Norwich City 4s started well, They found themselves playing the majority of the game with 10 men after Keeper Dim was sent off. IES scored first but against all odds City found themselves level just before the break when a free hit on the left wing was expertly driven across field by Brine to Dale who took it to the byline and pulled the ball to Hooper who crashed home from close quarters. There seemed to be no fear from the home team as they took the game to the away side on frequent drives forward only to be undone by a penalty corner switch inside the near post to restore IESs lead midway through the second half. Again City drove at the Ipswich midfield and were level once more when Kidner scored from a reverse strike past the hapless dive of the way keeper. As time ticked by and with unrelenting pressure, it seemed City would record an unbelievable result considering the circumstances, but a cruel twist of fate was around the corner with a couple of minutes left. A strong strike from the impressive Centre half from IES was parried by the home keeper only to fall straight to the same player, who drilled the rebound home to steal all 3 points. City MOM: David Fletcher  
 
 
L (0- 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 02/12/2017 VS NORWICH CITY 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 02/12/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 02/12/2017 
HEADLINE: Club matched... 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 1:3 
 
REPORT:As per 3s report 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 25/11/2017 VS IPSWICH 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 25/11/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 25/11/2017 
HEADLINE: Atale of two halves. 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 2:4 
 
REPORT: Norwich City Men's 4s entertained a high flying Ipswich team in this early Division 3NE fixture at Taverham. The home side started well and pushed forwards with confidence and purpose in the opening 5 minutes. Unfortunately a lack of concentration and slack marking allowed Ipswich 2s to score twice in the next 5 minutes to knock the wind from the home side sails and take a commanding grip on the game. City briefly rallied and pushed forwards looking for their own goal and again were undone by a cross shot from the away side which was pushed over the line at the far post by the ghosting winger from Ipswich. City finally clicked into gear on 20 minutes and forced in a goal towards the end of the half through Armstrong to reduce the arrears. The second half was met with more direct play and desire from the home although they scored through Silvester midway through the second half, and had a shot cleared off the line, the away side increased their lead again late on to win by 2 clear goals. Norwich city MOM: Tim Armstrong 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 11/11/2017 VS IES 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 11/11/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 11/11/2017 
HEADLINE: NoSouthern Comfort for City 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 2:8 
 
REPORT: Norwich City 4s hosted an IES2s side high on confidence and talent and with barely 90 seconds on the clock found themselves a goal down to a crisp drag flicked shot from the visitor's first attack of the day. If that wasn't enough to stir the home side into action, the next 15 minutes finished them off as they found themselves 4 goals down to an electric Ipswich side. With the game gone already for City and playing for pride they tried to put together some sort of attacking move themselves, but were picked off 3 more times before the end of the half by a combination of speed from the young visitors and skill from the older and wiser heads. A few choice words at half time from the home side and a more positive direct approach seemed to make the difference to the shape and the scoreline with City scoring twice through Pallister and Patel but it wasn't enough to hide the void in confidence and teamwork between the 2 sides. Ipswich returned home to the South with all 3 points and a healthy goal difference to boot. City MOM: Paul Roy 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 04/11/2017 VS PELICANS 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 04/11/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 04/11/2017 
HEADLINE: Ref Justice 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Lynnsport King's Lynn 
RESULT: 4:3 
 
REPORT: Norwich City 4s went into this game knowing that the losing side would be bottom of the league and set about their task with confidence. This newfound style was however short lived as Pelicans scored with a deflected short corner effort midway through the first half. Needing a response City picked up the pace and pushed hard for an equaliser but were undone by a poor decision by the officials which allowed the home team to overload in the area and score their second. A positive half time team talk was needed by the visitors and seemed to work as they reduced the arrears through good work from Toby and Jim Pallister, with the latter scoring at the second attempt. The following few minutes were scrappy between the two struggling sides and after a missed decision by the officials, King's Lynn restored their lead at the far post. If City felt hard done by over the third goal lead up play, they were even more so with King's Lynn's fourth as a mix up in the refereeing decisions allowed the home side to take a quick free hit and with most of the City defense wandering back to reset for their own hit, King's Lynn fired home from close range. Incensed by the mix up and desperate for justice, City stepped up their play and although they had the better of the last 10 minutes, scoring twice through Haran Patel, it wasn't enough to get a point from the jaws of defeat. City MOM Haren Patel 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 28/10/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 3 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 28/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 28/10/2017 
HEADLINE: Dragons have wings clipped 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 1:1 
 
REPORT: Week 6 in Division 3 NE League saw Norwich City 4s entertain a Dragons side for the second time in 3 weeks. With the opening exchanges level in desire and chances, it was the visitors who made their possession count first, scoring from a far post jab past the City keeper who narrowly missed his save. Having conceded a soft goal and looking a little nervous, City struggled to make any possession count during the rest of the half and went into the break a goal down. The second half started brightly for the home side and more direct play was rewarded with a succession of penalty corners. Unfortunately none of these reaped any rewards which allowed Dragons to push their way back into the game. With time running out, City again pushed for an equaliser and finally scored when another penalty corner routine saw Haran and Brine combine for the latter to sweep home from close range. Although both teams pushed for the win, neither produced enough quality to edge the game and take all 3 points. City MOM: Freddy Hooper 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 21/10/2017 VS SUDBURY 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 21/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 21/10/2017 
HEADLINE: Washed away by the Suds 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 2:5 
 
REPORT: This bottom of the table clash saw Norwich City 4s and Sudbury 2s battle it out in typical style for teams struggling for form. City started the stronger and had the better chances early in the game with Kidner and Gedge both causing the Sudbury defence problems. After a flurry of good passing moves City took the lead through Higginbotham at the end of a strong short corner routine. Although Sudbury pushed forward looking for an equalizer for the remaining minutes of the half, City could have easily gone into the break 4 goals to the good had the decision making process turned out differently. This seemed to effect a City team short on confidence and calmness and from the start of the second half Sudbury pushed forward with ease. Their overlapping midfield and quick passing were too good for a fragile City back line and within minutes of the restart Sudbury found themselves running away with the game. City gifted the visitors 3 quick goals in a matter of minutes which took the game away from Norwich and although they managed to pull a goal back through Roy, Sudbury scored a further 2 goals on the break to seal a comfortable victory and move off the bottom of the table.  
City MOM: Paul Roy 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 14/10/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 2 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 14/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 14/10/2017 
HEADLINE: Scorched by the Dragons 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: 4:3 
 
REPORT: Following some mixed performances of late, Norwich City 4s were looking to upset the league's early pacesetters and improve on their recent results. A lively first 15 minutes saw both teams make inroads into their opponents halves but a combination of assured defending and poor decision making from both attacking forces kept the scores level. City grew in confidence and took the lead as Matthew Brine slotted home the opener after good work from Cowan and Circuit. This new found belief however was short lived as within minutes of the restart a lapse of concentration gave Dragons a way back into the game. More heartache was to follow shortly afterwards as a strong pass across the goalmouth by Dragons was inadvertently deflected into his own goal by City's captain Dale. A reshape at half time and a strong start saw City draw level within a minute of the restart as Cowan finished from close range at the second attempt from a short corner. 
Again City were made to pay for some indecision as Dragons scored from their own short corner midway through the second half to retake the lead. With City piling forward looking for the equaliser, Dragons scored from the penalty spot and looked home and dry. City had their own penalty corner awarded with seconds left and Defender Jag scored sweetly into the top corner to reduce the arrears but time ran out for City who bravely fought to the end. 
MOM Mark Circuit  

MENS 4TH XI - 07/10/2017 VS BURY ST EDMUNDS 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 07/10/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 07/10/2017 
HEADLINE: Buried by Bury 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 0:4 
 
REPORT: Another frustrating weekend for the City men's 4s as they entertained a Bury side sitting only 2 places above them in the league. The match started well enough for City as a strong first 10 minutes saw the visitors continuously on the back foot. The only thing left to do for City was to create that final pass and steady hand in front of goal, and it was to this end that Bury came into the game. Having weathered the early storm, the visitors took the lead midway through the half quite fortuitously as a deflected shot crept in at the far post. City lost confidence from then on in and although showed some good passing moves at times, the cut and thrust of the early encounter evaded the forward line. The second half started brightly for the home side with only a single goal to recover early on, but gaps appeared in the midfield, as the forward line and the defense became further apart in search of an equaliser, Bury scored a half volley screamer into the top corner midway into the second half and took a strangle hold on the game. Continuously frustrating the stuttering attack from the home team, a further 2 goals were added late on in the match to give a comfortable feel to an otherwise well contested affair and once again, city finished empty handed. MOM Matthew Brine  
 

MENS 4TH XI - 30/09/2017 VS IES 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 30/09/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 30/09/2017 
HEADLINE: A point to prove 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Ipswich  
RESULT: 3:3 
 
REPORT: City travelled to Ipswich hoping to prove a point having lost their opening fixture last week to UEA 2s. Things didn't go their way in the first half as the team were a little disjointed, allowing IES to attack with great effect on numerous occasions, breaking the lines and causing the City defense problems. after considerable pressure, City went into the break 3:0 down having gifted 2 of the goals from indecisions and a failure to clear the lines. More was needed from City in the second half and after a bright start to the half, Ferris reduced the arrears, latching onto a squared cross from the ever eager Chapman, having travelled more than half of the pitch to pull his cross back. Many more attacks followed from then and a penalty corner saw Higginbotham smuggle the ball home after a messy goalmouth scramble. It seemed inevitable that City would have at least one more good chance towards the end of the match, and this duly arrived when Pyatt's decisive run and jabs through the heart of the Ipswich half resulted in Fletcher getting the all important touch past the onrushing keeper and into the unguarded net. The match finished all square and was richly deserved after a shaky start. MOM Shaun Ferris  
 

MENS 4TH XI - 23/09/2017 VS UEA 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 23/09/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 23/09/2017 
HEADLINE: Back to the league with a bump 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Taverham 
RESULT: 1:5 
 
REPORT: Saturday's Division 3 NE opening fixture saw Norwich City 4s host a UEA team short on personnel but not on confidence. The opening 10 minutes saw both teams make inroads in the oppositions half but a distinct lack of composure resulted in neither side working the keepers. This unfortunately changed during the next 15 minutes when the slick passing of UEA proved too much for City and goals were inevitable, 3 very simple efforts with the same outcome. Driving from deep and using their wingers to good effect, too many times the City back line were over run with willing attackers from the visitors. The half time score of 3:0 was richly deserved and left City with a mountain to climb in the second half. Changes were made to the line up and this made a marked difference to the dynamics of the team, but although more inroads were made in the oppositions half, a shortage of opportunities to score was evident. The visitors scored twice more in the second half, punishing gaps left in midfield while using the pace of the wings and although a decent passing move for City down the left side allowed a goal to be pulled back by Simon Dale, the damage had been done and the game finished 1:5 to the visiting University side. City MOM was the very industrious Adam Richardson.  
 

MENS 4TH XI - 16/09/2017 VS NORTH NORFOLK 2 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 16/09/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 16/09/2017 
HEADLINE: The one that got away 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE:Taverham 
RESULT:2:3 (Lost) 
 
REPORT:A last chance to sharpen the stick skills and gel the team together was soured by this surprising final friendly result. 
City started the stronger and more assured against a nervous North Norfolk side who looked like they were playing against a side who sit a league above. Early exchanges saw City take the lead through Jamie Higginbotham after a penalty corner routine largely made up on the spur of the moment, but fired into the corner with deadly accuracy. The following 10 minutes saw City dominate and were awarded for their persistent pressure as William Kidner fired in a second. The visitors slowly but surely grew in confidence and pulled a goal back mid way through the half and continued to pressurise the City defence. A lapse in concentration by the entire City back line allowed North Norfolk to equalise at the end of the half as a nasty Knee injury in the area to one of the City players saw everyone stop to look on at the crumpled player on the floor. Unfortunately North Norfolk's star striker continued to play on, where others had stopped, and slotted his effort into an empty goal resulting in the teams entering the break level on terms. The second half was a tame affair in comparison with North Norfolk's 10 men looking the more likely to score and with nothing to lose they piled on the pressure. Although City looked to rekindle the first half's pass and move style, the shape of the team ultimately let them down and the lopsided and imbalanced team conceded a third goal late in the half. All in all North Norfolk probably deserved to take the win which looked highly unlikely at the start of the day's play. City MOM Jamie Higginbotham 

MENS 4TH XI - 09/09/2017 VS HARLESTON MAGPIES 4 (H) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 09/09/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 09/09/2017 
HEADLINE: Cancelled 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: 
RESULT: 
 
REPORT:cancelled 
 

MENS 4TH XI - 02/09/2017 VS NORWICH DRAGONS 3 (A) 
 
TEAM: Mens 4th XI 
DATE: 02/09/2017 
FIXTURE: Mens 4th XI VS 02/09/2017 
HEADLINE: Cobwebs blown away 
LEAGUE: EAST DIVISION 3 NORTH EAST 
VENUE: Dragons Den 
RESULT: 1:3 
 
REPORT: After what seems forever, the Men's 4s returned to action in this hotly contested friendly against Norwich Dragons on Saturday. Using a mixture of old heads and new blood, the team started solidly with the defence of Ingham, Higginbotham, Clabon, and Dale repelling all raiders while the ever keen midfield and forward line drove again and again at the Dragons back line. Eventually pressure took it's toll and after a goal mouth scramble City scored and looked good for the lead. A slight mistake on the left wing by City led to a breakaway goal for the home team which gave encouragement up until the break, with Dragons finishing the half on top. A good constructive team talk at half time along with a few positional tweaks saw City resume the game with the control and poise they showed in the opening 15 minutes of the game. a further 2 goals were added during the half allowing City to stamp their authority on the game and stroll to a well deserved win.